CJ can't cut it in France

Former Springbok prop CJ van der Linde has not been signed by Toulon where he has been on trial as a potential replacement for Martin Castrogiovanni.

Former Springbok prop CJ van der Linde has not been signed by Toulon where he has been on trial as a potential replacement for Martin Castrogiovanni.

Reports from Midi Olympique have said that Van der Linde's fitness was not up to scratch and that the 33-year-old could not keep up, according to the Toulon staff.

Earlier this year, Van der Linde was announced by the Eastern Province Kings as a big signing ahead of the Currie Cup campaign with the idea being for the journeyman forward to make the move to France after the provincial tournament in South Africa.

Van der Linde signed a three-year contract with Leinster in late 2008. He returned to his former side the Cheetahs following his release from Leinster and made four appearances for them during the 2010 Currie Cup.

He then joined the Stormers for 2011, making 11 appearances for them during the Super Rugby season.

After than he left the Stormers for the Golden Lions, where he played during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, as well as making seven appearances for the Lions in the 2013 Super Rugby season.

In December 2013, it was announced that he had signed with London Irish until the end of the 2013/14 season in the Premiership but an injury-plagued season with very little game time now sees the front row forward at the Eastern Province Kings.